Thoughts on picking my focus word for 2025… Every year, I pick out a focus word. A word that governs various aspects of my life that year in lieu of resolutions: Focus (2009), discipline (2010), growth (2011), nurture (2012), surrender (2013), challenge (2014), connect (2015), strength (2016), self-care (2017), evolve (2018), simplify (2019), energy (2020), release (2021), structure (2022), grace (2023), and trust (2024).
My word for last year was all about letting go and you can read my reflections on my year of trust here. Not only was it a process of releasing control, it was also an intentional act of cleaning house metaphorically to make abundant space for alignment and all that 2025 is bringing.
It’s one thing to trust.
It’s another to move like you believe it’s already done.
And this is why my focus word for 2025 is… MANIFEST
The dictionary defines MANIFEST as to:
- make evident or certain by showing or displaying
- prove and put beyond doubt or question
- show something clearly through signs or actions
- attempt to attain (something desired) by thinking or focusing intensely on it, especially as a spiritual or self-help practice
My focus word for 2025 came immediately after the US elections last November when 92% of Black women felt the rug pulled from under our feet. While deeply processing the aftermath, a dear friend mentioned that maybe we have to grow even thicker skin to weather this storm and more challenging times ahead.
While I understood what she meant was from a place of love, I told her growing thick skin was the last thing I as a Black woman needs to do. I already have thick skin bordering on leather-tough. It is this ability to stay strong and weather storms that also strengthens the stereotype of the “Strong Black Woman”.
We no longer need to always have thick skin. That keeps us less protected, less respected, and not taken care of.
So, on the contrary, I am manifesting the soft life in every possible way. We’re in our “Soft Black Girl Era”.
I am about to enter the season of my life only God can take credit for.
